Knitting-machine.



F. NELSON.

KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 9. 1914.

1,252,152. Patented Jan.1,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

JFw/erzfar F. NELSON.

KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 9-1914.

1,252,152 Patented Jan.1,191&

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- n ATE Tartar more.

FRITHIOF NELSON, 0F ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

KNITTING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 1, 1918.

Application filed October 9, 1914. Serial No. 865,852.

chines, of which the following is a specifi cation.

The present invention relates to knitting machines of that type which is adapted particularly for use in the knitting of socks, stockings, etc., although it will presently appear that machines embodying the features of the present invention may be used in the manufacture of other kinds of knit product. For purposes of convenience, I will herein show and describe the features of my invention as applied to a straight line knitting machine, but it will be understood that this is done largely as a matter of convenience.

The features of the present invention are particularly desirable for use in connection with those types of knitting machines which carry on the various knitting operations automatically, commencing the knitting operation at a certain point or portion of the article, and carrying through the various steps of the knitting process to the completion of the article, whereupon the several operations automatically recommence and repeat. In machines of this type it is frequently necessary or desirable to provide mechanism for exerting a pull or tension on the partly completed products, so as to carry on a portion of the knitting operation while the article is under tension. This is particularly true in thosetypes or kinds of knitting machine which are adapted to the manufacture of socks or stockings having ribbed tops. In this case it is desirable to exert the pull or tension while the ribbing operations are in process.

Knitting machines have heretofore been devised which are provided with the tension mechanism for exerting the aforementioned pull or tension. However, such machines are subject to the objection that the sock or stocking sometimes fails to properly enter into or engage with the tension mechanism. When this happens the yarn is liable to become bunched or otherwise caught on the knitting needles during the back and forth travel of the yarn carrier so that the machine fails to function properly. This defective operation will continue until the machine is stopped in some manner, or until the parts become injured or broken.

The main object of the present invention is to provide means or mechanism which will automatically stop the operation of the machine in case the tension mechanism fails to properly function. More particularly this object may be stated to be the provision of means or mechanism for bringing the machine to rest in case the knit article fails to properly enter into, or to properly engage with the tension mechanism; in either of which cases the tension mechanism, will not properly function.

Another object of the invention is to combine certain automatic devices with the tension mechanism, and with the customary belt shifting or power controlling mechanism, in such a manner that said mechanism will be actuated to throw off the power in case the knit article fails to properly enter into or engage with the tension mechanism. The accomplishment of this object will enable the operator to equip a standard machine with certain additional devices or attachments for the purpose of securing the desired automatic stopping of the machine in case the tension mechanism does not properly function.

Other objects and uses will appear from a detailed description of the invention which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view looking at the left hand side of the machine, certain portions of the machine being broken away to more clearly illustrate the improvements to which the present invention relates;

Fig. 2 is a Perspective skeletonized View of the main features or elements for securing the automatic stoppage in case the tension mechanism fails to properly function;

Fig. 3 is a sectional skeletonized view of the tension rollers and the safety finger or plate, all of said parts standing in the position which they occupy when the tension mechanism is not in operation; and

Fig. 4 shows a view similar to that of Fig. 3, with the exception that the knit article has entered between the rollers, and the rollers have been brought together to exert the desired tension on the article.

I will not describe in detail all of the elements of the particular knitting' machine to which the. features of my-invention' are 7 shown as attached inthe several figures, for

' ters Patent, No, 1,087,545.

the reason that said machine is of familiar construction, embodying many of the features disclosed in Letters Patent of the present invention are shown as applied toa machine of the type shown in the said Let- The main driving shaft the shaft .8 having a hand wheel 9 on its front end by means of which it may be slowly rotated by hand, if desired, and be- .ing provided with the fast and loose pulleys 10 and 11 respectively, on its rear end. Durting operation.

ing the normal operation of the machine the knit product delivers down through an opening or chute,- and depends from the needles within the machine during the knit The machine which is illustrated is pro' vided in its'rear portion with an upstanding post or column 13 which in turn carrles a head 14. Across the rear portion of this head there extends a rod or shaft 15 on which are pivoted a number of light arms A beltv 22 (best shown in Fig. 2

16, one for each of the several yarns which are used'in'the various knitting-operations. These arms are individually provided with light springs 17 which tend to throw them upward into a substantially vertical position. When the machine is properly functioning, and when the yarns are unbroken and feeding properly, these arms 16 are pulled down into a substantially horizontal position, as shown by certaln of the arms in Fig. 1.

A light arm 13 is carried by a block or head 19 which in turn is pivoted at the point 20 to the post 13 or an extension of the same. The upper end of this arm 18 has a cross-wise extending finger or rod 21 which stands'behind all of the arms 16, and which will be struck by any one of said arms 'in case the corresponding yarn is suddenly broken, to allow the arm to swing upward into a vertical position under the impulse' of'the'corresponding spring 17. When this happens the backward pressureon the rod 21 will rock the arm 18 about the ivot 20.

S is adapted to drive either the fast or loose pulley according to the position into which it is of the machine is shifted. This belt travels through a shifter 23 which is adapted to slide back and forth with respect to the frame of themachine, and may be of any suitable construction. An arm 24 is pivoted to a stationarypart at the point 25. The outer end of thls arm engages the belt'shifter, and a spring (best shown in Fig. 2), exerts a pull or tension on the arm which tends to draw the belt shifter back onto the loose pulley, for the purpose of throwing off the driving force. It therefore follows that means must be provided to retain thearm 24 in position against the spring in order to keep the ma chlne in operation. In the particular arrangement illustrated this means takes the form of an arm 27 pivoted to the post 13 at the point 28 and having, near' its outer end, a

- a groove or notch adapted to receive the outer-end 29 of the arm 24. A spring 30 has oneend connected to the arm 27 and'its other end connected'to a stationary part, and

therefore tends to raise the arm. As long as 24 may remain hooked over into the position shown in Fig. 2 fordrivin purposes, and

will be retained in such rivmg position against the tension of the spring. If, however, the arm 27 be forced down, the end 29 of the arm 24 will be unhooked and there upon the spring will act to draw the belt the arm 27 stands in raised position the arm shifter over to carry the belt onto the loose pulley. Thereupon the drivingforce will be cut off, and the machine will come to rest.

.A hammer or the like 31 is slidably carried by suitable brackets 32 on the post 13,

and when it is allowed to drop it will deliver a suflicie'nt blow to the arm 27 to unhook the end 29 of the arm 24, and allow the spring to functionin the above stated manner. This hammer has a collar 33 beneath which may be hooked the lower end 34 of the arm 18, for

the purpose of holding the hammer in raised position while the machine is in operation. When the hook 34 is 'unhooked from the collar the-hammer will fall and thus cause the machine to come to rest. It therefore follows that when any one of the'yarns breaks,

the backward tilting or pressure on the rod v21 will cause the hammer ,to fall and bring the machine to rest;

The constructions thus far described are familiar constructions for the purpose. of automatically stopping the machine in case of the breakage of any yarn.

- In the particular machine on which I have shown the features of the present invention as being applied, the tension mechanism operates to exert a pull on the article as the same hangs down from or" protrudes from the delivery opening. This particular tension mechanism includes the rollers 35 and 36. The roller 35 is mounted on a shaft 37, rotating in stationary journals or bearings and best shown in Fig. 1. The roller 36 on naaaiea the other hand is mounted on a shaft 38 which is j ournaled in a swinging frame having the arms 39. These aims are pivoted at the points 41,.and they swing in unison to carry the roller 36 toward or from the roller 35 by reason of the cross piece or connection which joins the upper ends of the arms together. Springs 44 exert a tension tending to carry the arms inward so as to carry the roller 36 toward the roller 35. However, an arm 46 is connected to the swin ing frame and has a pin 47 (best shown in Fig. 1), which works through the slot 48 in the side frame, and engages the inner periphery 49 of the rotating drum member 50. This drum member is a miliar element or mechanism in certain classes of knitting machines, and the same makes a complete revolution for each article produced, or for each complete cycle of movements. The periphery 49 has the depression or notch 51, so that at certain portions of the cycle of operations of the drum the pin 47 is allowed to swing out into such recess, at which time the swinging frame is allowed to move inward under the impulse of the springs 44 to carry the roller 36 toward the roller 35. At the proper time the reverse end of the notch 51 engages the pin 47 to raise the same and again swing the frame to carry the roller 36 away from the roller 35.

The shaft 37 which has the roller 35 is provided with a sprocket on which travels a chain 53. This chain also travels over another sprocket 54 on a shaft 55. The other end of this shaft is provided with a ratchet wheel which is actuated at times by a pawl or dog. A pawl prevents a backward or reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel.

Suitable operative connections are provided from the main shaft 8 to operate the rollers 35 and 36 in opposite directions during the feeding operation. I shall not here explain said constructions in detail, because they are well known and understood in the art, and certain of them are shown and described in the aforesaid Letters Patent of the United States. Nos. 617,039 and 1,087,545.

As stated in the preamble, it sometimes happens that the sock or other article fails to properly enter into or engage the tension mechanism, which, in the arrangement illustrated, includes the rollers 35 and 36. When this happens the knitting mechanism within the machine will not properly function and the needles are liable to become clogged and broken. The main object of the present invention is to provide a simple form of mechanism or attachment which will insure stoppage of the machine in case the tension mechanism does not properly function on the article, and another object is to associate such attachment or construction with the tension mechanism and the belt shifting or other stoppage mechanism in a simple and convenient manner.

It will be evident from the descriptions thus far given that the article must enter between the rollers 35 and 36 if the latter are to properly perform their function when the time arrives. Therefore in the particular embodiment of my invention which is illustrated herein, I provide some element or mechanism which will be engaged by the sock or other article as the same depends between the rollers and will only be engaged by the sock in case the sock does depend between the rollers and which element or mechanism must be so engaged at the proper time if the machine is to be kept in operation. in the particular arrangement illustrated I ournal a rod or shaft 73 at a convenient point in the frame, and provide the same with a pair of fingers or the like 74. These fingers lie immediately beneath the rollers 35 and 36 so that when the article depends between said rollers it will lie on the fingers and push them downward. One end of the rod 73 is provided with a weight 75 which is so mounted and formed that it normally holds the fingers 74 upward in the horizontal position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Therefore said fingers and the weight will stand in such position until the article rests on the fingers, as shown in Fig. 4. A block 76 is also connected to-the rod 73, and a in 77 is slidably mounted in said block. A spring 78 normally holds the pin projected into the position shown in Fig. 2. The swinging frame or a suitable portion thereof carries an upstanding arm 79 having the end portion 80 which is adapted to push against the in 77 when the frame swings inward, provided said pin stands in the horizontal position illustrated in Fig. 2. If, however, the knit article is resting on the fingers 74 so that the tension mechanism will properly function, said fingers will be tilted down to carry the pin 7 7 into a substantially vertical position, so that when the frame subsequently swings inward to carry the roller 36 toward the roller 35 for the purpose of gripping the article, thereby carrying the arm 79 inward, the end 80 of said arm will miss the pin 77 instead of striking the same. 011 the other hand, if, when the swinging of the arm occurs the knit article is not resting on the fingers 74, or has not pushed them down into the position shown in Fig. 4, the pin 77 will still be standing in the horizontal position, and will consequently be engaged by the end of the arm 79 and forced inward against the force of the spring 78.

A rod or shaft 81 is journaled to a suitable portion of the machine, and has a downwardly depending crank arm 82. To the lower end of this crank arm is connected a pin 83 which is slidably mounted at the oint 84, in such position that if the pin 7 7 be forced backward the pin 83 Wlll be engaged to rock the shaft 81. The other end of said shaft carries another crank arm 85 to which is connected an upstanding rod 86, the same being slidably mounted in a block 87 on the post 13. The upper end 88 of the rod 86 is beveled, and is adapted to engage a pin 89 of the block 19. This construction is well shown in Fig. 2. It therefore follows that the rocking of the shaft 81 will raise the rod 86 and swing the block 19 on its pivot 20, thereby carrying the finger 34: away from the collar 33, thus causing the hammer to be tripped and the belt to be shifted onto the loose pulle These operations will occur when the ame swings toward the machine to carry the roller 36 toward the roller 35 unless the article he properly feeding between the rollers to push down the fingers 74 into the position shown in Fig 4.

From the foregoing disclosures it will be I apparent that I have combined power controlling mechanism with tension mechanism in such amanner that the knit article must be properly engaged into the tension mechanism when the latter commences to function as otherwise the power controlling mechanism will be actuated to shut off the power and allow the machine to come to rest. It will also be apparent that I have secured the foregoing combination or association between mechanisms which are already present in familiar types or kinds of knitting machine so that such machines can be readily rearranged or readapted to include disclosures ofthe present invention,

and so as to secure the benefits or advan-.

tages resulting from such arrangements as are herein disclosed.

While I have herein shown and described the features of my present invention as used only in a single machine or combination of elements, still it will be understood by those familiar with the art that many other arrangements, combinations, and associations, involving or embodying the features of my invention may be devised, and, therefore, I

do not limit myself to the arrangement abovemechanism, of tension mechanism adapted to exert a pull on an article being fabricated at a predetermined time in the cycle of fabrication, and means for carrying the nism.

In a machine of the class described, thepower controlling mechanism into off position at said predetermined time in the cycle of fabrication when the article being fabricated is not engaged with the tension mecha-- 2. combination with the pair of tension rollers adapted to operate on the fabric, andmeans for carrying said rollers into coiiperative relationship, of means for carrying a power 7 drive connection into on or off position, and means for moving said device into ofi position when the rollers move into cobperative relationship, there being no fabric between the rollers.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the tension rollers, and means for carrying them into coiiperative relationship, of means for moving a power drive connection into on or off position, and

-means under the control of the roller'carryingmeans for moving the power drive connection to off position when the roller carrying means operate into codperative relationship, there being no fabric between the rollers.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the fabric tension rollers and a power drive connection, of means for carrying the power drive connection into off position, means for restraining such move into cobperative relationship, there bev ing no fabric between them.

5. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a stationary tension roller,

and a laterally. movable tension, roller, of a power drive connection, means for carrying the same into off position, means for restraining such carrying movement, and means for making inoperative the restraining means when the roller is moved laterally into cobperative relationship with the stationary roller, there being no fabric between the rollers.

6. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a stationary tension roller, a laterally movabletension roller, and means for carrying the laterally movable roller into cooperative relationship with respect to the stationary roller, of a power connection, means for carrying the same into off position, means for restraining such carrying movement, and means for making inoperative the restraining means when the laterally movable roller moves into coiiperative relationship with respect to the stationary roller, there being no fabric between the rollers.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of' a stationary roller, a swinging frame adapted to swing toward and from such roller, a cooperative roller carried by said frame, a power drive connection, means for moving the same to off position, means for restraining uch movement, and a connection from the swinging frame to the restraining means to make the same inoperative when the frame swings, there being no fabric between the rollers.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a stationary roller, a frame mounted to swing toward and from the same, a cooperative roller carried by said frame, a power drive connection, means for moving the same into inoperative position, means for restraining such movement, means for making inoperative such restraining means, an interconnection between the swinging frame and the means for making inoperative, and means under the control of the fabric and constituting a portion of the last named means.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with power controlling mechanism, of means for shifting the same to off position, a stationary tension roller, a laterally movable tension roller adapted to cooperate therewith, and means for making operative said shifting means when the lat-' erally movable roller moves into cooperative relationship with the stationary roller, there being no fabric between the rollers.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with power controlling mechanism, of means for shifting the same into off position, a stationary tension roller, a laterally movable tension roller, a contactin device beneath the space between said rollers and lying in the path of a fabric delivered between the rollers, means for moving the power controllin device into off position when the latera ly movable roller moves into cooperative relationship with the stationary roller, and means for making inoperative said last mentioned moving means when a fabric engages the contacting device.

11. In a machine of the class described,

the combination with power controlling mechanism of a pair of cooperative tension means, a contacting device mounted in position to be engaged by a fabric delivered between them, means for moving the power controlling mechanism into off position when the rollers move into cooperative relationship, and means for making inoperative said movin means when a fabric engages the contacting device.

12. In a knitting machine, the combination, with suitable knitting needles and yarn feeding devices, and means for operating the same to fabricate an article, of a power drive connection, means tending to move the same into off position, means for restraining said tendency, a draw roll operating on a fixed axis, another draw roll swingingly mounted with respect to the first mentioned draw roll, a feeler between said draw rolls and mounted in position for engagement by a fabric passing between the draw rolls, a connection from the swinging draw roll to the power drive connection, and a connection from said last mentioned connection to the feeler device to make operative said last mentioned connection when the swinging roll is swung, for the purpose specified.

13.- In a machine of the class described, the combination with suitable knitting mechanism operating on repeating cycles of movement, and a tension roll having fixed points of bearing, of another tension roll adjacent to the first mentioned tension roll, arms swingingly mounted with respect to the frame of the machine, bearings in said arms for said last mentioned tension roll, a feeler device pivoted adjacent to the first mentioned tension roll, a finger connected to one of said arms and swinging with the same, suitable power drive mechanism for the machine, means tending to carry said power drive mechanism into inoperative position, means for locking said carrying means against operation, and means for disengaging said locking means, said disengaging means including a pin operatively connected to aid feeler and adapted when the feeler is in operative position to render inoperative the disengaging means, and when the feeler is in inoperative position to render operative said disengaging means, said finger constituting a portion of the disengaging means.

FRITHIOF NELSON.

Witnesses:

WM. STEULAND, THOMAS A. BANNING, Jr. 

